ABOUT VIP-X
VIP-X is an intensive 3.5-month accelerator built for student founders ready to scale big. This isn’t your average program—it’s where ambitious startups get the tools, connections, and support they need to break through. Think expert mentorship, hands-on advising, and a vibrant community of like-minded founders all pushing toward success. Alumni like Neuroflow, Avisi, AAVRANI, Clove, Strella, and MDAlly have used VIP-X as a springboard to make waves in their industries.
Running from September 22 to December 3, 2025, VIP-X is your launchpad for growth. Fridays are your day to dive deep: morning group sessions bring founders together to share wins, tackle challenges, and exchange insights, while the rest of the day is packed with expert-led talks, 1:1 advising, and time to collaborate with peers and get real work done. VIP-X is your opportunity to surround yourself with the energy, expertise, and ecosystem you need to go further—faster.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Kickoff with an Orientation & Welcome Mixer to meet founders, advisors, and leaders.
- Bi-weekly 1:1 advising sessions to set goals and track progress.
- Semi-weekly cohort meetings for sharing wins, tackling challenges, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Advanced expert-led workshops
- Access up to $10,000 in non-dilutive grant funding.
- Build alongside a diverse community of ambitious entrepreneurs.
- Access to tools, perks, and a vibrant Slack community of alumni founders.
- Dedicated venture coworking space.
- Demo Day Celebration to reflect on and showcase your journey.
PROGRAM DATES
Program runs September 22nd - December 3rd, 2025 and the cohort typically meets Fridays 9 AM - 11 AM unless otherwise noted.**
Interviews | September 11th and 12th |
Orientation | Monday, September 22nd, 3:30 - 5PM** |
Session 1 | Friday, September 26, 9AM - 11AM |
| Welcome Mixer | Friday, September 26, 11AM - 12:30PM |
Session 2 | Friday, October 17, 9AM - 11AM |
Session 3 | Friday, October 24, 9AM - 11AM |
Session 4 | Friday, October 31, 9AM - 11AM |
Session 5 | Friday, November 7, 9AM - 11AM |
Session 6 | Friday, November 14, 9AM - 11AM |
| Session 7 (Final Session) | Friday, November 21, 9AM - 11AM |
| Demo Day andCelebration of Entrepreneurship | Wednesday, December 3, 5 - 8PM |
VIP-X APPLICATION CYCLE
Applications Open | Wednesday, August 27th |
Application Deadline | Friday, September 5th at 11:59PM |
Interviews - Day 1 | Thursday, September 11th, 9AM - 5PM |
Interviews - Day 2 | Friday, September 12th, 9AM - 5PM |
ELIGIBILITY
The team lead (lead applicant) must be a currently enrolled Penn student in a degree-granting program who is developing their own venture. First-semester, first-year undergraduate students and alumni are not eligible to apply. The team must be based in Philadelphia during their time in the accelerator and be able to commit to in-person participation. The business must be legal.
A venture may participate in VIP-X for only one cycle. After the completion of the three-month membership term, founders exit the program but are encouraged to stay engaged with Venture Lab opportunities. If you are located in the San Francisco/Bay Area, you might be interested in the VIP accelerator there. Please note that participation is exclusive to one accelerator – you cannot engage in both. Evaluate your options accordingly.
Questions? Review our Frequently Asked Questions.
Still have questions? Email venturelab@upenn.edu with “VIP-X/Philadelphia” in the subject line.
2025-2026 VIP-X/PHL
ABOUT VIP-X
VIP-X is an intensive 3.5-month accelerator built for student founders ready to scale big. This isn’t your average program—it’s where ambitious startups get the tools, connections, and support they need to break through. Think expert mentorship, hands-on advising, and a vibrant community of like-minded founders all pushing toward success. Alumni like Neuroflow, Avisi, AAVRANI, Clove, Strella, and MDAlly have used VIP-X as a springboard to make waves in their industries.
Running from September 22 to December 3, 2025, VIP-X is your launchpad for growth. Fridays are your day to dive deep: morning group sessions bring founders together to share wins, tackle challenges, and exchange insights, while the rest of the day is packed with expert-led talks, 1:1 advising, and time to collaborate with peers and get real work done. VIP-X is your opportunity to surround yourself with the energy, expertise, and ecosystem you need to go further—faster.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Kickoff with an Orientation & Welcome Mixer to meet founders, advisors, and leaders.
- Bi-weekly 1:1 advising sessions to set goals and track progress.
- Semi-weekly cohort meetings for sharing wins, tackling challenges, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Advanced expert-led workshops
- Access up to $10,000 in non-dilutive grant funding.
- Build alongside a diverse community of ambitious entrepreneurs.
- Access to tools, perks, and a vibrant Slack community of alumni founders.
- Dedicated venture coworking space.
- Demo Day Celebration to reflect on and showcase your journey.
PROGRAM DATES
Program runs September 22nd - December 3rd, 2025 and the cohort typically meets Fridays 9 AM - 11 AM unless otherwise noted.**
Interviews | September 11th and 12th |
Orientation | Monday, September 22nd, 3:30 - 5PM** |
Session 1 | Friday, September 26, 9AM - 11AM |
| Welcome Mixer | Friday, September 26, 11AM - 12:30PM |
Session 2 | Friday, October 17, 9AM - 11AM |
Session 3 | Friday, October 24, 9AM - 11AM |
Session 4 | Friday, October 31, 9AM - 11AM |
Session 5 | Friday, November 7, 9AM - 11AM |
Session 6 | Friday, November 14, 9AM - 11AM |
| Session 7 (Final Session) | Friday, November 21, 9AM - 11AM |
| Demo Day andCelebration of Entrepreneurship | Wednesday, December 3, 5 - 8PM |
VIP-X APPLICATION CYCLE
Applications Open | Wednesday, August 27th |
Application Deadline | Friday, September 5th at 11:59PM |
Interviews - Day 1 | Thursday, September 11th, 9AM - 5PM |
Interviews - Day 2 | Friday, September 12th, 9AM - 5PM |
ELIGIBILITY
The team lead (lead applicant) must be a currently enrolled Penn student in a degree-granting program who is developing their own venture. First-semester, first-year undergraduate students and alumni are not eligible to apply. The team must be based in Philadelphia during their time in the accelerator and be able to commit to in-person participation. The business must be legal.
A venture may participate in VIP-X for only one cycle. After the completion of the three-month membership term, founders exit the program but are encouraged to stay engaged with Venture Lab opportunities. If you are located in the San Francisco/Bay Area, you might be interested in the VIP accelerator there. Please note that participation is exclusive to one accelerator – you cannot engage in both. Evaluate your options accordingly.
Questions? Review our Frequently Asked Questions.
Still have questions? Email venturelab@upenn.edu with “VIP-X/Philadelphia” in the subject line.